The carriage wheels groaned as they rolled onto the wornout stony path that led into the Crystal Moon border. The gates were pulled open, allowing the carriage and the entourage into the pack.

Adina's breath seized as they finally entered the pack. She slowly breathed out, waiting to feel that rush, that fear she always felt living here, but it didn't come. Her eyes were fixed outside the window, staring at the pack grounds as the carriage moved.

She couldn't help but remember how many times she'd walked through this very same road, always in Cassandra's shadow. She had stayed here for most of her life, knew the pack like the back of her hand. Remembering how she had been dragged out of the very same pack in chains, ready to be shipped off as a slave.

Her gaze strayed to the people who stood still, watching the carriage and the entourage move. All watching with awe. It was the very first time the kingdom of the realm would visit their pack, and everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the man.

Adina watched them, remembering how these very same people cheered during her sentencing, how much they cursed her for being barren. Their words were brutal and sharp like a knife, mercilessly digging into her chest.

Thorne watched her silently, seeing the faraway look in her eyes. He could tell she was remembering things, judging by how her hands clenched into a fist and how her eyes watered slightly.

His heart clenched slightly; his sweet Adina must have gone through hell in this very same pack. His jaw clenched hard as he remembered all that she told him. She was treated worse than a slave, treated like she had no autonomy.

He exhaled deeply, pulling her hand into his. Adina blinked, startled, she glanced at him and saw him staring at her. She smiled softly, everything she'd been remembering all gone instantly.

She intertwined their fingers and leaned on his shoulder.

"You good?" He asked, and she nodded.

"Never been better."

From afar, the square stretched out before them, packed with warriors. And at the front, flanked by guards and pack officials, stood Roman and Catherine.

They were dressed in the vibrant sea-blue of Crystal Moon. Roman looked proud, hands behind his back, chest puffed out, he had filled out more, his hair was shorter too. Catherine stood to his left, chin slightly lifted, hand resting neatly on her stomach, like she was posing for a portrait, her long blonde hair braided and pinned like she was auditioning for Luna of the Year.

The carriage came to a halt, and they all straightened up. It was the very first time the Ling would be visiting their pack. They wanted to make the best impression. Needed to.

The carriage door opened, and they all bowed, except Roman and Catherine.

Thorne stepped out first, his aura thick, suffocating. He stood proud and tall, looking around the place like he was sizing it up.

Roman's perked brows drooped slightly, expecting an acknowledgment at least. The smile on his face grew wider. "Your Majesty," he said loudly, moving to bow only to pause at Thorne's hand, stopping him.

He shared a look with his beta, brows furrowed. He watched as Thorne turned to the carriage and stretched his hand out.

Ah, that's right. The king was coming with his mate.

He glanced at Catherine, motioning with his eyes for her to be extra welcoming to the king's mate. Roman needed a direct alliance with the king, and this was his time to get it. He plastered the smile on his face, ready to bow and greet the future Luna of the realm.

A soft, dainty hand slipped into Thorne's, and the woman stepped out carefully. The king looked absolutely whipped. Roman shifted his gaze to the woman, and for a second, everything froze.

Adina stepped out gracefully, dressed in a black dress Thorne had specially made for her, her voluminous curls bounced with each step, her neck adorned with a single diamond that drew attention.

She looked absolutely stunning.

She stood next to Thorne, wearing the softest smile.

"Y-Your Majesty," came Roman's beta's shaky voice.

Roman blinked, unable to wrap his head around this. This couldn't be…

"Adina," Catherine blurted out, eyes wide with shock, mirroring Roman's and the pack officials. They all looked like they'd seen a ghost.

"That's Lady Adina to you, Luna. She's not just the king's mate but also the future Queen of the realm. Address her with respect." Mason said, voice deep and firm. He looked very much like the queen's personal protector.

Adina slipped her arm into Thorne's and smiled, her gaze shifting from a shell-shocked Roman to an even more shocked Catherine. Both their faces pale.

Beta Calder stepped forward, nudging Roman slightly in the ribs, a nervous smile plastered on his face.

Roman blinked, forcing his gaze from Adina back to Thorne. He wasn't successful, as his gaze kept straying to her.

"Y-your Majesty. M-my lady. It's an honor to have you in Crystal Moon."

Thorne hummed, looking over the pack house. "It should be."

The beta jumped forward, seeing as Roman couldn't do anything but stare. His nervous smile widened. "We hope the journey wasn't tedious. We have prepared rooms for His Majesty and his…" he swallowed visibly, "mate."

"Show me to the quarters you have prepared. The journey was quite long and tedious, and my mate here is very tired. She's not used to traveling long distances, but I insisted that she came with me," he said.

Adina smiled, leaning into him. "I'd come with you anywhere, my king."

Thorne smiled at her, lifting her hand and kissed it.

Roman and Catherine's gazes were stuck on them, on the affection they publicly displayed. Were they in a different dimension? Were they dreaming?

Roman blinked, stepping forward. "I- Yes—um— M-my mate can show Ad—t-the lady."

Thorne frowned icily, his gaze void of the softness he'd been showing Adina a second ago.

"Show us to our quarters. I'll make sure my mate is perfectly content first."

Roman blinked as he gaped openly. He swallowed, nodding. "Y-yes, of course, my king. Please come with me," he said, nudging Catherine's arm, and she jumped forth, ready to move.

"Actually…" Adina began, and they all stopped. She looked up at Thorne. "Can we not stay here? I'd like to stay in my former home." She looked Roman in the eye now. "That's if it's still available."

Thorne nodded like it made sense, turning to the alpha. "You heard my mate. Does her former home still exist?" he asked.

Roman stared blankly at Adina, then shifted his gaze to Thorne. "Forgive me for saying, my king, but it's a small house. It's not suitable for His Majesty to—"

"I didn't ask if it was suitable. I asked if it exists. Are you perhaps hard of hearing, Alpha Roman?"

Roman's gaze hardened at this; he didn't like this. Not one bit.

He forced a smile on his face. "Forgive my ignorance. The house is still standing. It hasn't been used in a while, and thus, but it can be prepared right away."

Thorne nodded. "Have it cleaned," he ordered.

Roman bowed stiffly. "As you order, Your Majesty." He looked at the beta, who immediately got right into it.

Catherine licked her lips, pulling her shock to the side. She stepped forward with a sweet, saccharine smile, eyes on Adina. "My lady, if you may follow me. I'll bring you to a room where you can rest pending the hour used in cleaning. Your feet must be hurting from standing," she said, forcing her eye to remain normal and not fucking twitch.

Adina looked her right in the eye and gave a curt nod. "Of course, Luna."

She turned to Thorne and smiled. "May I leave, my king?"

"Will you be fine?" He asked through the mind-link instead.

Adina smiled brighter at this. "Absolutely."